My series 3 won't start....

[86mud]

Hi all

My series 3 has been parked for about 2 months while I rebuilt her. It was starting fine before this. I am not sure how old the battery is, but does not look old.

I have had the battery charger going for 48 hours. (7.5amp rated). The battery reads 12.21 volts, but when I turn the key to ignition and the electronic fuel pump engages, it drops to 6.5 volts and then I go to turn the key to fire and obviously nothing. Horn works, lights work....

I am assuming the battery is stuffed has just won't hold enough charge to turn the start motor?

Thanks

[Lotz-A-Landies]

trusting that everything turns over O.K. and you havent installed a dead short somewhere.

Have you tried push starting the vehicle?

[Timj]

The battery should be up over 13v or at least high 12v after 48 hours on a charger. And dropping to 6v on cranking is way too low so I would say your battery has had it. It may be bad enough that even with a clutch start or crank it is shorting and killing the engine systems.

Actually, just another thought - was the battery still connected when you charged it? If there is a short or some fault in the vehicles electrics then that could cause the battery not to charge properly I suppose.

TimJ.

[86mud]

um...yes I was being lazy and did not disconnect the terminals before attaching the charger.

I can turn the engine at the crank so everything turns over ok.

The previous owner has used nylock nuts on the battery terminal bolts so need two spanners to undo which is annoying! Will change this.

I might just try a fresh battery

Thanks heaps